The Failure Effect Podcast

Joseph Odindo: A Lesson In How The Teacher Ended Up On The Receiving End Of A Hard Lesson

Joseph Odindo is a one-man masterclass in the art of good journalism. A self-taught journalist, he has worked in the profession for decades, rising through the ranks to earn the title all upwardly-mobile journalists covet: Group Editorial Director. He served in this role at The Standard Group, and has also served as Editorial Director at the Nation Media Group. And yet, despite his vast knowledge of the profession, he will never forget the one day he made the decision to carry a particular picture on page 1 of the Daily Nation… and nearly lost his job in the aftermath of what the entire country determined was 'the worst decision the newspaper ever made." Press play to hear his story.

Amakove Wala: A Lesson In Resilience In Business And Relationships

When Amakove Wala and her husband separated nine years ago, thus began her new life as a mother of four - one son and triplet daughters. Raising four children in a single-income household is no easy feat, and thus she has dabbled with various business, won some, and lost some. She has also learned the value of personal relationships of all sorts through her journey navigating her new life, and she's here to share her personal story of loss and triumph.

Carol Nyaga: A Lesson In Parenting and Alcohol Dependence

Carol Nyaga, a mother of three, had no idea how to raise a child when she had her first one just after she finished high school. Having watched her parents fumble in their effort to raise her, she, in turn, became a detached mother whose only focus was to provide for her child. She eventually ended up in the advertising sector where her career grew in leaps and bounds... but she was using her work, and alcohol, as crutches to run away from her emotional problems and her inability to be a present mother. In 2020, she experienced a sea change when her third pregnancy and the Covid pandemic forced her to spend time reflecting on her chaotic childhood and what wounds she needed to heal to become a better mother. Here are the lessons she learned.

Amani Maranga: A Lesson In Divorce and Depression

Amani Maranga, a marketing and communications executive and current host of the men-only podcast Living Truthfully, was doing really well in his career, holding two jobs that put him in the orbit of the rich elite of the country, and starting a successful communications business... until an unfortunate decision he made led to the demise of his marriage. Thus started a downward spiral and bout with depression that took him many years to overcome, and a necessary 'meeting with himself' to figure out who he really was and what he needed out of life. This is his story.

John Irungu Muriithi: A Lesson In Navigating Business During Difficult Economic Times

John Muriithi is a serial entrepreneur who has worked in media, events, real estate development and sales, and farming. He started off working for a local media house before he followed his entrepreneurial urge and launched into business. Thus followed a raft of interruptions from the political and economic climates he was dealing with at the time. He's here to tell us how external circumstances interrupt business, and what he learned about navigating difficult times even when the best-laid plans are insufficient. Listen to learn more.

Miriam Nabakwe: A Lesson In Finding Purpose After Being Auctioned

Miriam Nabakwe is a food and beverage manager who has worked for leading restaurant chains and hotels in Kenya such as The Tamarind Group, Dorman's and The Fairview Hotel. Despite her success in employment, she chose to go the solopreneur route... and after a series of bad decisions, shortly found herself facing the auctioneer's hammer. She has since recovered and gone on to launch a highly successful western Kenyan cuisine restaurant called Kienyeji's. She tells us how she found her way back home.

Nancy Kairo: A Lesson In Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number

This week we're talking to Nancy Kairo who is a certified life-coach, stylist and budding author... and her experiences with failure and how she moved past them will blow your mind! She re-started her life at the age of 44, but when you listen to her, you realise that 'age' is nothing but a number... and it's been nothing but favour from God since then. This is her story.

Rita Kanana: A Lesson In Choosing the Right Business Partners

Rita Kanana was a high-flying C-suite executive in the tech world... until her craving for entrepreneurship saw her leave to co-found a fintech business. As business dipped and the partnership fell apart, she found herself having to figure out creative ways to keep staff motivated. She eventually left the business and found her footing in the wonderful world of selling car spare parts. This is her story.

Khalif Kairo: A Lesson in Thriving After Losing a Business to Partners

In 2022, Khalif Kairo, former CEO of car imports company Imports by Kairo, watched as a dispute between him and his business partners turned into an acrimonious battle of press statements that nearly bankrupted and deflated him. In this episode - featuring never-heard-before details of what was going on behind the scenes - he tells us how he survived the public humiliation and used it to propel himself into a beautiful new business.